JB MDL celebrates Midway victory anniversary

Published June 5, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Sean M. Crowe
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst hosted a ceremony for the community to commemorate the Battle of Midway's 72nd anniversary June 3, 2014, at the Flight Deck here.

The event focused on the Sailors, Marines and Army Air Corps members who sacrificed themselves to win the turning point battle for control of the pacific culminating in a victory against Japanese Forces.

"Today, we commemorate the battle of midway 72 years ago," said Navy Capt. Christopher Fletcher, JB MDL deputy commander. "We remember the sacrifice made by our Navy, Marine and Army Air Corps aviators whose efforts supported the battle."

Fletcher expanded on the battle to allow the crowd some perspective of what the U.S. Navy gave that day.

"Six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Navy defeated the Imperial Japanese Navy," said Fletcher. "On the Midway atoll, our forces inflicted irreparable damage to be the first to defeat the Japanese Navy at sea for the first time since 1863."

The Japanese suffered losses to 291 aircraft, four carriers and one heavy cruiser, allowing the U.S. military to take the offensive position against the Japanese. The battle ended when a U.S. aircraft carrier found and bombed Hiryu the last of the Japanese aircraft carriers.

Fletcher laid a wreath after speaking to honor the 307 U.S. casualties resulting from the battle. The U.S. Navy also lost one carrier, one destroyer and 150 aircraft in the battle.

"Our Sailors truly demonstrated honor, courage and commitment at the Battle of Midway," said Fletcher.

People in attendance took time after Fletcher's commemoration to view historical photos, displays and a mural dedicated to the Battle of Midway's anniversary. The mural depicts U.S. aircraft fighting at Midway.

"Painting ships is a Navy tradition," said Chief Petty Officer Michael Zgoda, who painted the mural. "Murals are a great way to display heritage, which is why I painted this. With the mural in here, everyone gets a little insight into the rich Navy history."

The ceremony was a solemn event which the joint base community could reflect upon and honor the service members who fought 72 years ago.